Burglar-alarm



(No ModeL) J. P. TOWLER.

BURGLAB, ALARM.-

No. 589,540. Patented Sept. 7,1897.

WITNESSES INT/'EN 0Rl gow Ma@ mamey PATENT FFlCE@ JOHN P. TOVLER, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEBRASKA.

BURG LAR-ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,540, dated September 7, 1897. Application filed November 17, 189e.V Serial Nc. 612,466. (No model.)

To ali whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN RTOWLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomfield, in the county of Knox and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burglar-Alarms; and l do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains io make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in burglar-alarms, and has more particular relation to portable alarms that are automatically set off by the opening or closing of a door or window.

The invention consists of the combination, with a suitable casing, of a spring-actuated bell-clapper mounted therein, an escapement controlling said clapper, a trigger for locking said escapement, and means for applying said casing to a door, wherebyT the trigger is operated by the insertion of a key into the keyhole.

The invention also consists oi certain other constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings7 forming` part of this speciiication, Figure l represents a central vertical section of my improved alarm applied to the keyhole of a door. Fig. 2 represents a top plan view oi. my said improved alarm detached from the door, the top being removed to expose the interior. Fig. 3 represents a transverse vertical section through my said alarm. Fig. et represents a detached and enlarged perspective view of the escapement, its withstraining-arm the sprin catch, and crank-shaft. Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the clamping spring for guiding the trigger-rod and engaging the keyhole. Fig. G represents an enlarged det-ail perspective view of a portion of the door withinyimproved supporting-black et applied thereto. Fig. 7 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the protecting-cap for the trigger.

A in the drawings represents the casing of my improved alarm 5 B, the escape mechanism mounted therein; C, the trigger-rod; D, the bell 7an d E the jointed supporti ngbracket.

` AThe casing A may be of any desired material and construction and has mounted therein an escapement device B, similar to a clock mechanism and adapted to be wound up by a pivoted operating-handle ZJ, projecting from the spring-shaft upon one side of said casing and lying in a socket o, so that when turned down it liesflush with the outer surface of the casing. The escapement-shaft Zi' of said mechanism B is provided with the usual escapementpiecebi, and has also secured thereto a bell-clapper h3, adapted to be oscillated by the movements of said shaft. This bellclapper projects through a suitable slot in the bottom ofthe casing A, so as to strike the bell D, which is mounted u pon said casing A by means of a suitable su pporting-bracket E, having a screw-threaded end d', adapted to screw in to a screw-threaded socket cut in the bell. The said shaft l1' is also provided with an angular projecting arm b4, by means of which the escapement is locked or released at will. This locking of said escapement is accomplished by the angular end h5 of a iiat spring h, secured to the inner side of said casing at its opposite end and provided with a laterally-projecting pin UT, that projects through the wall of said casing and is adapted to be forced inward by the thumb or iinger to set theprojection lf behind the armvb and thus lock the escapement. The said spring h6 is held in its inner locked position by means of an auxiliary spring hs, secured to the casing and having an angular end b9, adapted to iit down behind said spring b when the latter is pressed inward, and thus prevent it from returning. The said spring 5S is operated to withdraw its angular extension b9 from behind the spring h6 and allow the latter to assume its normal position by a crank-shaft hw, mounted in said casing. One of the crank-bends?)11 of said shaft is arranged under the spring b3, so that when said shaft is rotated the said spring is lifted, thus withdrawing the end U from behind the springy h6 and allowing the projection b5 of said latter spring to spring from behind the arm h4 and the escapement to operate and ring the bell. The said crank-shaft hm is also provided with a crank-bend h1?, to which is connected the trigger-rod C. This rod is formed in two sections c and c', respectively. The upper `sec- IOO tion cis provided with a screw-threaded block c2, into which the lower section c screws, thus providing for the adjustment of said rod longitudinally. The said rod C projects through the casing A at its upper end and is provided with an operating-head c3 and a stop c to prevent its being unscrewed from the section c' and withdrawn from the casing.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that as,the spring DE engages the crank-bend ou of the crank-shaft blo and normally holds the same down the normal position of the trigger-rod and its head c3 will be out of the casing. rl`he upper end of said trigger-rod C is surrounded and guided by an eye on one arm of a loop-spring F, secured Within the said casing A. Both ends f and f/ of said spring-loop project from the casing A and are rou ghened or corrugated upon their outer faces, so as to firmly engage the keyhole When inserted therein. rlhe normal position of the end f of said spring F is open and away from the rod C, but when the device is to be applied to a keyhole the said end of the spring Fis compressed against the rod C, so as to permit of the insertion of both ends fand j into the keyhole. This compression is caused bya rod G, mounted in the upper end of the casing and provided With an operating knob or head g, by means of which it may be pressed inward, so as to cause the inner end to engage said spring F and effect this action.

It Will be observed from the foregoing` description that when the end f of the spring F is compressed about the rod C both of said ends may be readily inserted into a keyhole and the end f' allowed to expand and hold the easing firmly in position upon the door.

'Vhen the device is not in-use, it becomes necessary to protect the delicate trigger-rod and its head c3 against injury, and t0 effect this I provide the casing A with a protectingcap I, secured thereto by a link t'. Said cap is adapted to be slipped over the protruding end of the trigger-rod and its head. B y means of the peculiar arrangement between the respective parts of the trigger-rod I am enabled to adjust the same to any desired position, so that the head cJ will project either more or less from the casing, as desired.

lVhen the device is applied in position Within a keyhole, it is first Wound and the cscapement locked With a slight pressure inward upon the pin or arm bl.

Upon the insertion of a key in the outer end of a keyhole the head c3 is engaged by said key, and the escapement is thus released and sounds the alarm.

Sometimes I Wish to apply my alarm to either Windows or doors in different positions, and to accomplish this I employ a divided bracket E. This bracket comprises a section e, upon Which the casing A is adapted to be supported by a suitable hook, and a section c' hinged to the first-mentioned section and provided at its rear end with a spring clamping portion e2. One arm of said clamping portion e2 is bent to form a groove ci. The Wall or WindoW-jamb to which the alarm is to be attached is provided with a slotted plate et, set over a suitable recess cut Within the Window or frame. lVhen the device is to be applied, the looped end of the section e2 is slipped through the slot in said plate c4 until one of the walls of the said slotted plate enters the groove e3, when said section e becomes firmly locked Within said plate, but may instantly be released when so desired by compressing said looped end. -The end of the arm e is provided with an upright stud c5, which is adapted to be slipped in the grooves e6 or eT formed in a plate es, attached to the casing A. This support E is attached in such a position that the trigger-head will come directly in the path of an opening door or Window, and thus be operated upon by an y movement of said door or window.

It will also be observed that my alarm is altogether portable and can be carried about in the pocket from place to place and applied in position at Will.

The alarm When it is sprung continues to ring. for a sufficient period ot' time to awaken the occupants of the house or frighten away the intruder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. `In a portable burglar-alarm, the combination with a suitable casing, of a bell-clapper pivoted therein, an escapement controlling 'said clapper, a locking device for said escapement, a spring forvreleasing said locking device, a .crank-shaft for operating said spring,'a trigger connected Vto said crankshaft and projecting from the casing, and means for securing said casing in position so that the trigger will be engaged by an opening door or WindooT to set off the alarm, substantially as described.

2. In a portable burglar-alarm, the combination with a suitable casing, of a bell-clapper mounted therein, an. escapement mechanism connected to said cla-pper, a catch for said escapement, a trigger for controlling said catch and projecting from the casing, and a clamp attached to said casing and adapted to be applied Within the keyhole to hold the casing in position, and the trigger in the proper relation to be engaged and operated by the insertion of a key in said keyhole, substantially as described.

3. In a portable burglar-alarm, the combination With a suitable casing, of a bell-clapper mounted therein, a spring-actuated escapement mechanism connected to said clapper, a cat-ch for locking said escapement, a trigger connected to said catch and extending out of the casing,an expansion-spring mounted upon said casing and supporting the trigger-rod and adapted to be expanded Within a keyhole to hold the casing in position, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

` nation with a suitable easing, of a springaetuated eseapenient mounted therein, an alarm device connected to Said escapement,

a locking-catch for said eseapement, a triggerfor settingoi said catch, attac-hing means for securing the casing in position, and a protecting-cap adapted to be applied over the portion of the trigger extending from the casin g when the alarm is not in use, siehst-an tially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specieation in lBhe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN P. TOVLER.

Vritnesses S. SAUNDERS, W. D. FUNK. 

